The Drowing King by Emily Holleman (historical fiction 2017)

The sequel to Cleopatra's Shadows is so good, first rate historical fiction.  Ms. Holleman has done her research and her editor is great.  This book is enjoyable all on its own although I highly recommend starting at the beginning.  Caesar makes his entrance to Alexandria in this volume and her characterization is a lot of fun.

The Gothic War: Rome's Final Conflict in the West by Torsten Cumberland Jacobsen (nonfiction 2009)

This book ranges over the personalities, geography, weapons and battle tactics of the Gothic War. I loved it for this comprehensive look at a confusing and ever-shifting time in history.

The Confessions of Young Nero by Margaret George (historical fiction) 2017

I have been reading Ms. George for many years, and have been looking forward to this book because I have always been fascinated by Nero. The first book (in what is planned to be a series of two) ends just as Nero is rushing to Rome when he hears it is burning, which was an effective cliffhanger. George has clearly done a lot of research on life in Rome at the time, with fun and detailed descriptions of places like the Circus Maximus and religious rituals that Nero would have participated in. 
I think what many ancient history fans are looking for is how Nero justifies his many famous and horrible political murders to himself, other transgressive acts, and how he sees his role as emperor in the light of his desire to be an artist. Nero is simply delusional about how his artistic performances are seen not only by the senators of Rome, but by common people, which seems plausible.  One character tries to tell him the truth but Nero brushes it off. As for murders, taking part in a marriage ceremony with a man, and scandalous stuff like having upper class Romans participate in artistic endeavors and prostitution, it's always someone else's fault. Here and there it seems like a lame excuse, but it also seems like what a privileged emperor might tell himself.